My role and experience conducting research with victims of crime

I regularly meet with support services who are struggling to cope with high caseloads, over stretched resources, and an ever-growing demand, but who are also passionate about doing the right thing for the victim and ensuring that their journey through a difficult and complex criminal justice system, is as smooth as possible. With a background in providing support to victims, I too share this passion, and as a result, strive to ensure the victims’ voice remains front and centre within the work TONIC produces.

Having supported victims myself for many years, I realise the importance of approaching research in a trauma-informed way. Participants need to feel safe, supported and remain in control throughout the research process. Those who have been affected by crime, often take part, not only to share their experience, but in the hope of making positive change for others accessing support in the future. I am a strong advocate for the importance of service providers and the police getting their approach to victim care right first-time – this, for many victims, is crucial in keeping them safe and empowering them to regain self-confidence, control, and to rebuild some belief in the criminal justice system. The research I have conducted at TONIC often demonstrates that receiving the right support, at the right time, forms a strong foundation for a victims’ recovery.

How does the research impact me?

Engaging with victims and survivors of crime can sometimes leave me feeling overwhelmed, especially when I am limited in the support I can provide to participants. I often feel frustrated on their behalf, particularly in relation to the criminal justice process, and of course, hearing the experiences of victims and their families can sometimes leave me feeling emotional. To ensure we feel well supported in our roles at TONIC, we work together as a team and regularly debrief after our fieldwork. In addition, TONIC provides access to an independent supervisor, giving me the opportunity to share the impacts in a personal and constructive way.

Reflections

In closing my team takeover, I want to share some learning from my 14 years of supporting victims: 

• It is just as important for the researcher to listen and validate a victim’s experience as it is for support services to do so.

• Leaving your assumptions at the door is pivotal – researchers cannot possibly already know or understand the feelings, reaction, or the impact of crime on a victim. Even where there are commonalities, such as crime type or perpetrator, it is important to remember that every experience is personal to the individual.

• People affected by crime often blame themselves for what has happened to them. This can be as a result of the perpetrator, the criminal justice system, or victim-blaming within society. It is crucial, that as researchers, we remain non-judgemental and open in our approach.

• It is important to allow people the space they need to talk and to speak openly about their experiences with wider services that may not necessarily be in scope. In doing so you will improve your knowledge of the wider service provision and the approach of statutory services locally. Most importantly it will give you a broader insight of the victims’ overall experience.

• It is ok to ask for support if you feel shocked, saddened, or distressed at what you may have seen or heard.

• Think about how you can encourage the system and service providers to continue to incorporate co-production in their approach to support service design. This approach will ensure the victims’ voice is threaded throughout your research and that services are more likely to successfully meet the needs of future victims.

Written by Jess Simms, Researcher and Analyst and Victim Research Lead at TONIC.